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Tropaeolum majus

Nasturtium

Peppery leaves and edible flowers spill over bed edges, while the blooms provide another food source for garden visitors.

Grows in Zones 4–12Growing guide
Nasturtium growing or ready to harvestPhoto: Eran Finkle · CC BY 2.0

Set your expectations

When will it bloom?

Usually 7–10 weeks from seed to first flowers; leaves can be picked earlier
Cold-weather noteWait until frost danger passes before planting outdoors.
Start withSeeds or nursery transplants
Life cycleFrost-tender annual
DifficultyEasy to moderate

Your seasonal plan

When to grow nasturtium in Zone 6.

The flower row shows when established plants may bloom. Leave some flowers for insects and adjust planting to your local frost dates. These are useful planning windows, not exact weather guarantees.

Typical planting windowMay–June
Typical bloom windowJune–September

Growing essentials

What nasturtium need to thrive.

Use the practical details below with your Zone 6 timeline. Current weather and the variety you choose can shift timing.

LightFull sun; light afternoon shade in hot summers
SoilPoor to average, well-drained soil
Planting depthSow seeds about ½–1 inch deep.
Spacing10–12 inches apart for bush types; give trailing varieties more room
WaterWater seedlings regularly; allow the surface to dry slightly once established.
Best conditionsMatch planting to local frost dates; mature hardiness and summer heat tolerance vary.

How to plant

Plant it well.

Sow directly after frost danger passes. Choose a bush variety for a pot or give climbing types a support. Avoid rich fertilizer.

Indoors or containers

Direct sow into the final outdoor pot, or start in individual pots and transplant without disturbing roots.

Keep it growing

Care through the season.

  • Guide trailing stems away from vegetables and pick leaves lightly. Remove damaged foliage.
What to avoid

Using it as a guaranteed aphid solution. Aphids can gather on nasturtiums, so inspect plants regularly.

Ready to harvest

Know the cue, not just the date.

  • Pick young leaves and fresh flowers as needed. Use only correctly identified, food-safe plants and wash before eating.

How we know

Sources and growing guidance.

The growing essentials and seasonal planning windows are original summaries informed by university Extension references; always adjust for current local weather and variety instructions.

Nasturtium: plant profile and cultivationNorth Carolina State ExtensionFlowers in the vegetable gardenUniversity of Illinois Extension

Extension sources checked · November 2026. Seasonal windows are planning estimates.